Wednesday, February 26, 2014

It's been a long journey from the day I picked up my first Manila Carnival photo--in Bangkok,Thailand, of all places, to starting this blog--and which culminated in the publication of a pictorial history book of titled Pampanga beauties. I hope, dear readers, that you have been entertained and informed through my postings. But alas, even good things have to end. Thank you to all my blog visitors and friends whom I've met along the way, including descendants of beauty queens featured here, fellow collectors, historians and beauty fans.

My Manila Carnival writing will live on, not just in this blog, but also in my book--"ARO, KATIMYAS DA! A Memory Album of Kapampangan beauties 1908-2012", a finalist in this year's National Book Awards, Leisure Category. It is available at the Holy Angel University, Angeles University (0458888691, ask for Center for Kapampangan Studies), or you can course your book orders through me .

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Pasay was one of the 4 original cities of Manila. Due to its proximity and strategic location to Manila, it enjoyed brisk economic and commercial growth during the American Occupation. Spurred by the petit fairs held everywhere in the big city of Manila, Pasay launched its own Pasay Carnival on December 1928, with Queen Magda I, reigning as royalty at the fair.

Sunday, February 2, 2014

CARNIVAL TIME! Cast your work aside and get ready for the masked revelry at the Manila Carnival of 1933!!

A colorful 1933 Manila Carnival poster, printed on the front cover of The Sunday Tribune Magazine, possibly drawn by renown artist, Fernando Amorsolo. The Manila Carnival Commercial and Industrial Fair was held from 4-19 February 1933, climaxed by the coronation of the 1933 Miss Philippines, Engracia Laconico.

MEET ME AT THE CARNIVAL!

Perhaps, no other event has piqued the interest and stirred a nation’s imagination more than the fabled Manila Carnivals. Held from 1908-1939, the 2-week fair was organized as a goodwill event to celebrate harmonious U.S.-Philippine relations and to showcase our commercial, industrial and agricultural progress. Spectacular parades, lavish shows, firework displays and the crowning of the Manila Carnival Queen highlighted the "greatest annual event in the Orient". This blog recalls the glorious Carnival era via pictorial mementos and discussions of its historied past. See you at the fair!